Snow Redistribution
13th February 2016
The wind came round to the East today and was strong enough to redistribute significant quantities of the soft snow which has been accumulating over the last week. There were lots of indicators that this was happening – visible drifting snow, raised footprints and ski tracks, and smooth pillows of snow developing in sheltered areas.
Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg from Aonach Mor.
The Grey Corries and beyond from Aonach Mor.
Lots of snow being blown out from the East face of Aonach Mor. Some of this was then forming windslab on the West face.
The smooth snow on the right is where unstable windslab is building.
Raised footprints.
Raised footprints are formed when the soft snow is eroded away by the wind leaving the harder snow that has been previously compressed by the footprint. This is usually a sign of improving stability on this slope but be aware that the eroded snow will now be building windslab in another sheltered location.
Coire an Lochan. The crags North of Easy Gully have smaller cornices than those to the South.
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